Introduction

Bearded dragons are one of the most popular pet reptiles due to their docile personalities and ease of care. However, it’s not uncommon for bearded dragons to exhibit some strange behaviors – including scratching at the glass walls of their enclosure. In this blog post, we’ll explore why bearded dragons scratch at glass and what you can do to address this behavior.

Why Do Bearded Dragons Scratch at Glass?

There are several reasons why your bearded dragon might be scratching at the glass of their enclosure:

• They are trying to escape
• They are marking their territory
• They are trying to get your attention
• They are bored or stressed
• They see their reflection

Trying to Escape

Bearded dragons are active lizards that require a lot of space to move around. If they feel that their enclosure is too small or lacking in some way, they may try to escape by scratching at the glass. To fix this issue, consider upgrading to a larger enclosure or adding more hiding spots and climbing structures to keep your bearded dragon engaged and entertained.

Marking Their Territory

Like many animals, bearded dragons use scent marking to establish their territory. If your bearded dragon is scratching at the glass, they may be trying to leave their scent or mark their territory. To address this behavior, try rearranging the items in their enclosure every so often to prevent your bearded dragon from getting too attached to one area and feeling the need to mark it as theirs.

Trying to Get Your Attention

Bearded dragons are social animals and may try to get your attention by scratching at their enclosure. This could be a sign that they want to come out and interact with you. If you notice your bearded dragon scratching at the glass while you’re nearby, try taking them out and spending some one-on-one time with them.

Boredom or Stress

Bearded dragons can get bored or stressed if they don’t have enough enrichment in their enclosure. Make sure they have plenty of things to climb on, hide under, and explore. You can also try placing a few different types of substrates in their enclosure or switching up their feeding routine to keep them mentally stimulated.

Seeing Their Reflection

Lastly, bearded dragons may scratch at the glass simply because they see their reflection and think it’s another bearded dragon. To fix this issue, try covering the sides of their enclosure with a dark paper or cloth to reduce the reflection.

What to Do About Bearded Dragons Scratching at Glass

Now that you understand why your bearded dragon might be scratching at the glass, here are some tips on how to address this behavior:

• Identify the root cause of the behavior
• Make sure the enclosure is large enough and has enough enrichment
• Rearrange the items in the enclosure to prevent scent marking
• Spend one-on-one time with your bearded dragon
• Cover the sides of the enclosure to reduce reflection

Conclusion

Scratching at the glass is a common behavior in bearded dragons, but it’s important to identify the root cause of the behavior and take steps to address it. With a little bit of understanding and a few adjustments to their enclosure, you can help your bearded dragon live a happy and healthy life.